Sharks appoint Glenn Coleman as new chairman

The Board of the Cronulla Sharks Football Club today announced that former first grade player Glenn Coleman had been elected as the Cub’s new Chairman, after the Board accepted the resignation overnight of long-serving Chairman Damian Irvine.

Mr Coleman, who joined the Board of Directors at the beginning of the year, played 123 first grade games for the Sharks and 216 grade matches in total in an 11 season playing career that spanned from 1984 to 1994.

He lives in Cronulla with his wife and four children and has senior roles in a number of successful businesses, including the supply of major event signage throughout Australasia and the development of affordable housing properties.

Mr Coleman said, “The board has thanked Damian for his life-long contribution to the Sharks and wish to publicly acknowledge his wholehearted efforts during his four years as Chairman.

“Damian’s time in the Chairmanship was characterised by selfless commitment, enormous dedication and an infectious passion and vision for the team and the Club.

“Critically, he oversaw the achievement of the property approvals which will result in a $400 million development on Club-owned land. The Club’s share of this development will ensure its financial security and has already resulted in a $10 million reduction in debt.

“Damian’s single-minded determination has always been to act in the best interests of the players and this Club. He has kept fighting for the Sharks when others said it was too tough.

“Anyone who knows how hard the football Club has had to battle over recent years will recognise and appreciate what Damian has done for the Cronulla Sharks.”

Damian Irvine has indicated that he intends to nominate for a directors’ role in the April elections – allowing members to cast their vote on his continued involvement with the Club.

The new Chairman, Glenn Coleman, comes to the role with more than a decade of rugby league playing experience and an outstanding track record in business. A sign writer by trade, he is now the managing director of Coleman Group - a company started by his grandfather as Coleman Signs in 1948 - and the developer of properties for the affordable housing sector. Glenn also has a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance at FINSIA.

“This Club and this area have been very good to me over many years and I intend to bring all of my energy and resolve to the role of Chairman,” Mr Coleman said.

“This is obviously a challenging period, but the Board and I remain fully committed to acting in the best interests of the welfare of our players, our Club and our members and supporters.

“We also look forward to working closely and productively with Bruno Cullen, our new interim CEO, in the days and weeks ahead.”

Mr Keith Ward will remain in his role as Deputy Chairman.

Mr Coleman, who joined the Board of Directors at the beginning of the year, played 123 first grade games for the Sharks and 216 grade matches in total in an 11 season playing career that spanned from 1984 to 1994.

He lives in Cronulla with his wife and four children and has senior roles in a number of successful businesses, including the supply of major event signage throughout Australasia and the development of affordable housing properties.

Mr Coleman said, “The board has thanked Damian for his life-long contribution to the Sharks and wish to publicly acknowledge his wholehearted efforts during his four years as Chairman.

“Damian’s time in the Chairmanship was characterised by selfless commitment, enormous dedication and an infectious passion and vision for the team and the Club.

“Critically, he oversaw the achievement of the property approvals which will result in a $400 million development on Club-owned land. The Club’s share of this development will ensure its financial security and has already resulted in a $10 million reduction in debt.

“Damian’s single-minded determination has always been to act in the best interests of the players and this Club. He has kept fighting for the Sharks when others said it was too tough.

“Anyone who knows how hard the football Club has had to battle over recent years will recognise and appreciate what Damian has done for the Cronulla Sharks.”

Damian Irvine has indicated that he intends to nominate for a directors’ role in the April elections – allowing members to cast their vote on his continued involvement with the Club.

The new Chairman, Glenn Coleman, comes to the role with more than a decade of rugby league playing experience and an outstanding track record in business. A sign writer by trade, he is now the managing director of Coleman Group - a company started by his grandfather as Coleman Signs in 1948 - and the developer of properties for the affordable housing sector. Glenn also has a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance at FINSIA.

“This Club and this area have been very good to me over many years and I intend to bring all of my energy and resolve to the role of Chairman,” Mr Coleman said.

“This is obviously a challenging period, but the Board and I remain fully committed to acting in the best interests of the welfare of our players, our Club and our members and supporters.

“We also look forward to working closely and productively with Bruno Cullen, our new interim CEO, in the days and weeks ahead.”